Orlando - Next Weekend, so what have I forgotten?
Discussion
fatpasty said:
Bring back an old thread! 
Going to Orlando in a few weeks time and looking in to info on what is good to do and not. Anyone been recently? Anyone recommend good places to eat etc?
Staying down International Drive. Have purchased the flex ticket to go to all the parks apart from Disney.
What kind of food are you after, the usual tourist fayre, or something more upmarket?Going to Orlando in a few weeks time and looking in to info on what is good to do and not. Anyone been recently? Anyone recommend good places to eat etc?
Staying down International Drive. Have purchased the flex ticket to go to all the parks apart from Disney.
Things to do? Do you want to fire a handgun, ride a Harley, go flying?
HOGEPH said:
What kind of food are you after, the usual tourist fayre, or something more upmarket?
Things to do? Do you want to fire a handgun, ride a Harley, go flying?
Well all of them things sound pretty cool. Not sure about the bike and flying. Maybe fire a weapon. Just things in general. Obv we going to the parks and we will do some shopping in the malls. Things to do? Do you want to fire a handgun, ride a Harley, go flying?
Just wondering if there was anything else to do which would stand out as something different I guess. Sorry that's a bit vague.
On to food!!
Well me and the OH are massive man v food fans so we are looking for good fatty food which I guess shouldn't be to hard to find but also maybe a couple of places which are a little up market for a treat for her.
98elise said:
If you like american muscle cars, go to the kissimmee old town cruise on a saturday night.
We're in florda from the 11th August
I'll be flying out on the 14th for 3 weeks. I'll keep an eye out for you at the old town cruise We're in florda from the 11th August
Oops meant to put 2nd of Sep. 14th I'm in crete for a week. (it's a tough life)
surveyor said:
Coins for the toll road....
Some of them are not manned - not good when you only have notes.
The tolls have just gone up again (the theiving tSome of them are not manned - not good when you only have notes.
ts) - so bring a handful of quarters - or avoid the toll road (at the North exit, at least) altogether, without racking up any extra miles.Here's how...
Take Semoran Blvd north out of the airport, ignoring signs for SR 528 to I-Drive, Disney etc.
Turn left onto Frontage Road (1st light after the airport).
At the intersection with South Conway Rd turn left and then turn right at the next light (McCoy Road).
Note: there is a very nice casual bar/smokehouse grill on the right after a 1/4 mile.
McCoy runs into Sand Lake Road at the intersection of Orange Avenue. Be careful at this intersection. There are more accidents at this intersection involving UK tourists than anywhere else in Orange County. Sand lake leads directly to the hell-hole that is I-Drive.
fatpasty said:
On to food!!
Well me and the OH are massive man v food fans so we are looking for good fatty food which I guess shouldn't be to hard to find but also maybe a couple of places which are a little up market for a treat for her.
You need to visit Johnny's Fillin' Station at Ferncreek and Michigan Ave.Well me and the OH are massive man v food fans so we are looking for good fatty food which I guess shouldn't be to hard to find but also maybe a couple of places which are a little up market for a treat for her.
www.johnnysfillinstation.com
This place is waaaaay off the tourist radar, but will make you smile, I promise.
It's cheap, clean, wholesome and the portions are massive - and the beer/wine selection is a loyt more comprehensive than you would expect from a place like this.
I can suggest planty of others, but this is the best in terms of honest VFM.
I cannot believe that our two favourite things have not been mentioned on here.
Blue man group is a must, an absolute must. This is near Universal.
Secondly, but this costs a lot, Discovery Cove is fantastic. Go there and don't swim with dolphins and it is still a great day.
Car hire tip, go for the lowest and pay for a cheap upgrade when you get there, although this is not guaranteed at all. And they haggle.
Blue man group is a must, an absolute must. This is near Universal.
Secondly, but this costs a lot, Discovery Cove is fantastic. Go there and don't swim with dolphins and it is still a great day.
Car hire tip, go for the lowest and pay for a cheap upgrade when you get there, although this is not guaranteed at all. And they haggle.
Mr Roper said:
Gator Land is pretty good, it's not far from where you are and it's good value too. I think about $10 entry.
My family love Gator Land. The best day out and great value. We paid a fortune to go to Discovery Cove and it was great but Gator Land was better. Ps. Not great if you don't like gators!
Matt Harper said:
You need to visit Johnny's Fillin' Station at Ferncreek and Michigan Ave.
www.johnnysfillinstation.com
This place is waaaaay off the tourist radar, but will make you smile, I promise.
It's cheap, clean, wholesome and the portions are massive - and the beer/wine selection is a loyt more comprehensive than you would expect from a place like this.
I can suggest planty of others, but this is the best in terms of honest VFM.
Sounds great will have to have a look. www.johnnysfillinstation.com
This place is waaaaay off the tourist radar, but will make you smile, I promise.
It's cheap, clean, wholesome and the portions are massive - and the beer/wine selection is a loyt more comprehensive than you would expect from a place like this.
I can suggest planty of others, but this is the best in terms of honest VFM.
Matt Harper said:
The tolls have just gone up again (the theiving tts) - so bring a handful of quarters - or avoid the toll road (at the North exit, at least) altogether, without racking up any extra miles.
Here's how...
Take Semoran Blvd north out of the airport, ignoring signs for SR 528 to I-Drive, Disney etc.
Turn left onto Frontage Road (1st light after the airport).
At the intersection with South Conway Rd turn left and then turn right at the next light (McCoy Road).
Note: there is a very nice casual bar/smokehouse grill on the right after a 1/4 mile.
McCoy runs into Sand Lake Road at the intersection of Orange Avenue. Be careful at this intersection. There are more accidents at this intersection involving UK tourists than anywhere else in Orange County. Sand lake leads directly to the hell-hole that is I-Drive.
Cheers for that Matt - I've copied those to my phone and will try them to get to I-Drive South (Floridays for 5 nights). Then off to a villa near Medieval Knightsts) - so bring a handful of quarters - or avoid the toll road (at the North exit, at least) altogether, without racking up any extra miles.Here's how...
Take Semoran Blvd north out of the airport, ignoring signs for SR 528 to I-Drive, Disney etc.
Turn left onto Frontage Road (1st light after the airport).
At the intersection with South Conway Rd turn left and then turn right at the next light (McCoy Road).
Note: there is a very nice casual bar/smokehouse grill on the right after a 1/4 mile.
McCoy runs into Sand Lake Road at the intersection of Orange Avenue. Be careful at this intersection. There are more accidents at this intersection involving UK tourists than anywhere else in Orange County. Sand lake leads directly to the hell-hole that is I-Drive.
Matt Harper said:
I think the general concensus is what these attractions cost versus what they deliver in value.
I personally have no strong feelings either way, but hear the gripes of lots of seemingly disgruntled toursists.
Wow, Discovery Cove is number 2 out of all the attractions in Orlando, on Tripadvisor, out of 168, being beaten only by a free firework spectacular.I personally have no strong feelings either way, but hear the gripes of lots of seemingly disgruntled toursists.
Blue man groups is number 31 and costs a whole £32 for two hours entertainment.
I think both are fantastic, especially the Blue Man Group, and if I was to return then these would be the draw to get me there.
Have you been to either of these?
dazco said:
Wow, Discovery Cove is number 2 out of all the attractions in Orlando, on Tripadvisor, out of 168, being beaten only by a free firework spectacular.
Blue man groups is number 31 and costs a whole £32 for two hours entertainment.
I think both are fantastic, especially the Blue Man Group, and if I was to return then these would be the draw to get me there.
Have you been to either of these?
Like I said, I have no strong feelings either way - I have seen Blue Man Group several times (as I know folks who work at Universal, so avoid the $80 (not 32 quid) admission). I think it's entertaining - but not $80 entertaining.Blue man groups is number 31 and costs a whole £32 for two hours entertainment.
I think both are fantastic, especially the Blue Man Group, and if I was to return then these would be the draw to get me there.
Have you been to either of these?
I have not experienced Discovery Cove and nor would I particularly want to. Although many people like the idea of frolicking with intelligent, though imprisoned animals, I find the whole concept a bit objectionable. I have similar feelings about SeaWorld (though I do support their Manatee rescue program). I'm not some tree-hugging PETA freak - I just think that captive animals for entertainment is morally corrupt - a bit like the circus.
That fact that Disney Corp can extract such hefty ticket prices for this experience proves that a lot of people don't share my view and that is just fine. Because I live in the area and like to have a few beers, I get to hear the views of visitors quite regularly. I would suggest that there are three schools of thought re. Discovery Cove
1. It was fantastic - a totally unique experience.
2. It cost so much, I've convinced myself it was fantastic, in order to justify the expense.
3. The water was freezing, we only got a few minutes with the dolphins, the dolphins weren't very friendly - but we had the park all to ourselves.
As a footnote, when I want to see dolphins, I drive over to Pasco County and get out in the Gulf between New Port Richey and Anclote Key - there are thousands of them, in their natural environment. For tourists, there are numerous boat trips/charters available from Tarpon Springs.
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